Message from the President

President’s Message — Progress with Values

 

As the holidays approach and we transition into a new year with new changes, it is crucial that American citizens make decisions with unity, dignity, compassion, and selflessness in our hearts. This is how we progress forward, together. Partners Bank employees possess these values and have recently displayed them in their actions. The result is an unmatched sense of community with so many lives touched.

At the start of November, all 11 bank locations united for a selfless cause: the Partners Bank Y Hopeful Holidays Donation. The holidays are a time of joy and togetherness. However, for people who are faced with the pressure of not only surviving the winter but also feeding themselves and their families for the holidays, we understand that this time of the year can be stress-inducing. Those who are fighting food insecurity deserve to experience joy during the holidays, too. Partners Bank wants to show compassion and remind them that they are not alone.

The Partners Bank Y Hopeful Holidays Donation aims to instill hope in those individuals and families by donating $30,000 to 19 local food pantries in Southern Maine and Northern New Hampshire. The Market Manager of each bank location selected food pantries in their area to benefit from this program and are connecting with the organizations to ensure they receive the funds in time to provide holidays meals. The food pantries will be announced on the Partners Bank Y Hopeful Holidays Donation webpage throughout the months of November and December.

In addition to the monetary donations, we are including something extra in the Partners Bank Y Hopeful Holidays Donation. After learning about the YCSP Food Pantry’s goal of giving holiday meals to a thousand families this season, bank employees will be donating turkeys to help them achieve their goal. The bank will gift each employee a turkey before Thanksgiving to show employee appreciation. Instead of bringing the turkeys home, some employees want their turkeys to bring hope to families in need and will donate them to the YCSP Food Pantry. This is a brilliant idea and a compassionate gesture by those employees.

In an effort to promote volunteerism across all areas of the bank, Partners Bank employees can take up to 16 hours of paid time per calendar year to volunteer at any organization they choose as long as the organization meets the requirements of the bank’s plan. This added benefit sparks altruism across the board, and the selflessness doesn’t end there. A couple of employees have taken the initiative to spearhead their own food and clothing drive separate from the Partners Bank Y Hopeful Holidays Donation.

Crystal Callahan, Receptionist at the main office in Sanford, kicked off her annual Winter Coats for All clothing drive. Motivated by her love for her community, Crystal has designated the Sanford and Buxton locations to have drop-off bins for donations. Her initiative to manage the clothing drive speaks volumes about Crystal’s compassion for others. And our staff in the Buxton branch also stepped up to do the same.

Theresa Jodway, Head Teller at the main office in Sanford, is also leading an annual Food Drive to collect cash and non-perishable food for Thanksgiving meals. The cash and food will be donated to the YCSP Food Pantry in time for Thanksgiving. It is an honor to work with a generous person like Theresa, who keeps others in mind and commits countless hours to helping her community.

Partners Bank locations in New Hampshire have also been working together to progress their community. They were recently featured in the #NHBanksGiveBack campaign by the New Hampshire Bankers Association for their volunteerism and sponsorship of important organizations and events in Rye, Kingston, and Portsmouth.

Westival, The Birchtree Center’s 13th Annual Benefit for Learning Auction, Sanborn Football Boosters Golf Tournament, Sanborn Youth Soccer Association, New Hampshire SPCA, and Rye PTA were just a few of the organizations and events they recently sponsored. Laila Miller, Market Manager at the Portsmouth location, was also awarded a plaque for being the Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Seacoast Y for seven impressive years.

Although they don’t do it for recognition, the Partners Bank branches in New Hampshire deserve praise from the NHBA and the organizations they supported. The positive effects of their dedication to their community are a powerful example of the impact people have when they unite.

These wonderful acts of unity, dignity, compassion, and selflessness taken by Partners Bank employees will not be the last. As we move forward, we will continue to prioritize these values in decisions within and outside of the business.

In the upcoming months and throughout the next few years, let these values lead the way. Honor your community and remember that we are stronger together. By doing so, we will surely progress and uplift each other no matter what the climate.

 

Blaine Boudreau